The month of October, Down syndrome month, is a particularly good time to bring awareness to the fact that the “r” word (retard) is exceedingly hurtful. For those who don’t realize how hurtful it is, many of us point it out as nicely as we can. And, if we are lucky, the offending party apologizes and tries not to do it again. We are not, for the most part, an unforgiving bunch. We recognize that most people use it with no malice or forethought. In daily conversation, it has become a synonym for “stupid” or “silly” or “ridiculous.” […]